Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

WASHINGTON- Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) led 35 Members of Congress in demanding answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding the Trump Administration’s reported plan to extend approximately $20 billion in support to Argentina through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF).
 
The lawmakers warn that the ESF is being used to provide extraordinary financial assistance to President Javier Milei’s government for political ends, rather than to serve U.S. economic interests.
 
“At a time when tariffs, rising prices and cuts to essential domestic programs are straining American families and businesses, it is troubling that U.S. taxpayer-backed funds are being deployed to stabilize a foreign government’s currency, seemingly to advance partisan objectives, rather than to meet urgent needs at home,” wrote the lawmakers. “The Milei Administration’s extreme austerity program has caused spending on utilities to rise from 6 to 15 percent of the average salary, while failing to achieve its purported goal of macroeconomic stabilization. The recent provincial election results in Argentina underscore widespread dissatisfaction with these policies and the severe social costs of Milei’s experiment.”
 
The lawmakers also question the transparency and legality of the Administration’s actions. Historically, interventions through the ESF were guided by a defined policy framework. These actions typically included repayment schedules and required congressional notifications to ensure accountability and protect U.S. taxpayers. In this instance, the Administration’s decision to proceed without comparable safeguards or transparency raises serious concerns regarding the rationale, legality, and fiscal responsibility of its actions.
 
“Significant American investment of this nature demands consultation and oversight from Congress.  Historically, deployment of the ESF—like for Mexico in 1995— has come with substantial consultation and collaboration with Congress and transparency into the ESF’s operations,” continued the lawmakers. “We expect the Treasury Department to provide Congress and the American people with information concerning the actions taken through ESF to strengthen the Argentinian peso and stabilize Argentina’s economy.”
 
Reports indicate that major U.S. investment firms—including Fidelity, Pimco, and Discovery Capital Management—stand to profit directly from this intervention due to their exposure to Argentine bonds. This suggests the Administration may be using the Exchange Stabilization Fund to advance the interests of Wall Street investors at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.
The letter also raises concerns about Argentina’s ability to repay the loan. The government’s practice of draining billions in reserves to defend an overvalued currency is unsustainable regardless of how much it borrows from the United States or international lenders. The lawmakers write that the Treasury Department owes the American people a clear explanation of what actions have been taken to protect the ESF and U.S. taxpayers from potential losses.
 
“Treasury must explain what reforms or collateral are in place to protect the ESF and U.S. taxpayers from loss,” concluded the lawmakers. “Given the magnitude and precedent of this action, we request that Treasury suspend any disbursement or implementation of the proposed swap or credit line to Argentina until these issues are fully addressed.”
 
In addition to Velázquez, the letter was signed by Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC), Greg Casar (D-TX), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Al Green (D-TX), Jim Himes (D-CT), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Scott Peters (D-CA), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Juan Vargas (D-CA).  
 
Find the full letter here.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

Washington, DC – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Tom Kean (R-NJ), and Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced the REPO Implementation Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation builds off the REPO law of last Congress by repurposing a sizeable subset of the frozen Russian sovereign assets for Ukraine on a regular, set, timetable. REPO 2.0 jumpstarts the process of transferring assets to Ukraine, providing a way forward for allies to finally implement this common sense measure to make Russia pay for its war.

     “War criminal Putin chose to invade Ukraine. Despite losing his war, he continues mass murder and destruction while abducting and erasing identities of Ukrainian children. I was grateful to be among the first supporters of the original REPO Act, and I am grateful to sponsor the REPO Implementation Act of 2025 to ensure that Putin’s own money is used to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression,” said Rep. Wilson. 

     “Last year, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity (REPO) for Ukrainians Act to ensure that Russia alone is held responsible for the death and destruction that Dictator Putin has forced upon the free people of Ukraine,” said Rep. Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “While that step was an essential one, which we took along with our other allies for Liberty, more can be done. Today, Congress follows through on the promise of the REPO Act and ups the pressure on Putin’s Russia to come to the table for peace with the introduction of this new bipartisan legislation. Together, we will push Russia’s bloody incursion back across their own borders and rebuild Ukraine so that it can take its long-sought place among the free democratic nations in Europe.”

     “Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine continues to inflict tremendous suffering on the Ukrainian people. By repurposing frozen Russian sovereign assets in the United States, we can ensure that Russia bears the cost of Putin’s aggression. The REPO Implementation Act establishes a clear framework to provide Ukraine with consistent investments from the United States and encourages our G7 allies to do the same. Together, these efforts will help Ukraine sustain its defense and sovereignty, rebuild what Putin’s forces have destroyed, and strengthen Europe’s collective security,” said Rep. Kean. 

     “Vladimir Putin put his corrupt money in the United States and Europe, and we froze it. The REPO for Ukrainians Act was a major accomplishment last year, and we must continue this progress with the REPO Implementation Act. This bill ensures that this blood money will now be put to good use supporting the Ukrainians who Putin has attacked. This is a matter of basic justice—the aggressor must pay for his aggression,” said Rep. Cohen. 

     A copy of the full text is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Steve Cohen (D-TN), the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Türkiye Relations and Turkish Americans issued the following statement: 

     “As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Türkiye Relations and Turkish Americans, we join millions around the world in celebrating the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye.

     Since its establishment in 1923, Türkiye has played a pivotal role as a bridge between continents, cultures, and global alliances. We fondly remember Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding father of the Republic of Türkiye, and one of the great leaders of the 20^th century. The United States and Türkiye have long shared a relationship grounded in mutual strategic interests, robust economic ties, and a shared commitment to regional security and prosperity. Türkiye’s contributions to the Gaza peace plan and progress in Syria are the most recent examples of its role in advancing regional stability. As NATO allies, our cooperation remains essential to addressing the complex challenges facing our world today — from counterterrorism and energy security to trade and global stability.

     Equally important are the strong people-to-people connections that bind our two nations. The vibrant and successful Turkish American community continues to enrich the fabric of American society, contributing in countless ways to our economy, culture, science, and public life. Their achievements exemplify the enduring friendship between our countries and the promise of our continued partnership. 

     On this Republic Day, we honor Türkiye’s progress over the past 102 years and reaffirm our commitment to continue to work on strengthening the political, strategic, and economic dimensions of the U.S.-Turkish relationship. We extend our warmest congratulations to the people of Türkiye and Turkish Americans across the United States as they celebrate this historic milestone.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

Washington, DC – Congressmen Joe Wilson (R-SC), Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, and Steve Cohen (D-TN), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Political Prisoners, will introduce on Friday a House resolution supporting the designation of October 30 – today – as the International Day of Political Prisoners.  

“The resolution reads:

“Whereas there are an estimated 1,000,000 political prisoners across the world, including cases of journalists, academics, political opposition activists, dissidents, antiwar campaigners, and human rights defenders being detained, arrested, imprisoned, convicted, and otherwise punished for political motives without connection to any credible offense;

“Whereas authoritarian and repressive regimes around the world, including the Republic of Belarus, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Cuba, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of the Union of Burma, the Russian Federation, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, have engaged in systematic imprisonment of independent voices;

“Whereas, in 2024 and 2025, the United States Government, through bilateral and multilateral negotiations, secured the release of several dozen political prisoners from the Republic of Belarus, the Russian Federation, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;

“Whereas, on October 30, 1974, Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of conscience in the Soviet Gulag initiated the tradition of marking the annual Day of Political Prisoners in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) to draw public attention to the plight of those imprisoned for their political or religious beliefs and to express solidarity with them; and

“Whereas, in subsequent years, the Day of Political Prisoners on October 30 was marked by hunger strikes by prisoners inside the Soviet Gulag and by public demonstrations of solidarity in cities across the USSR: Now, therefore, be it

“Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

deplores all forms of political repression and imprisonment and conveys its unwavering solidarity with all those imprisoned around the world for peacefully expressing their political or religious beliefs; 

supports efforts by the United States Government to condemn political imprisonment, hold accountable those regimes responsible for persecuting and imprisoning dissenters, raise international awareness of political prisoners, and secure their release through bilateral and multilateral negotiations with other states, and urges it to continue such efforts in the future; and supports the designation of an ‘International Day of Political Prisoners’ in the United States.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

LOS ANGELES – Yesterday, Congressman Ted W. Lieu met with leaders from Meals on Wheels West to discuss the impact of federal funding cuts to anti-hunger programs and to speak with Meals on Wheels volunteers and beneficiaries. Congressman Lieu joined Meals on Wheels West Board Member Anastasia Foster and Executive Director Kaylee Hawkins to talk about how funding cuts implemented by the Big, Ugly Bill and the current freezing of hunger assistance will impact Meals on Wheels West’s efforts to help the homebound, disabled, and elderly community members in the areas it serves. 

“I was deeply moved visiting Meals on Wheels this week to see firsthand what they do to help vulnerable people in our community,” Rep. Lieu said. “It is unconscionable that Republican leaders would allow these vital programs to lose critical funding while okaying things like a $40 billion bailout of Argentina and a $1 billion private jet remodel for Trump.”

“The landscape of food security is shifting fast,” Meals on Wheels West Executive Director Kaylee Hawkins said. “As SNAP benefits remain uncertain, we’re already feeling the impact here at Meals on Wheels West – with more neighbors reaching out for help. Our team is doing everything we can to meet the growing demand, but limited resources are beginning to stretch our capacity. The need is real, and it’s growing.”

 “Most Americans may not consider that a tax cut for the very wealthy may directly translate to food being taken out of the mouths of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Meals on Wheels West Board Member Anastasia Foster. “Those who are aging in place, often on fixed incomes, cannot absorb the chaotic changes in programs they rely on.”

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans have made cutting anti-hunger programs a key part of their agenda and the consequences are dire.” Rep Lieu added. “Programs like Meals on Wheels provide nutritious meals and support to homebound, disabled, and elderly people in our community and around the country. Meals on Wheels relies on the kind of federal funding that the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans cut to fund billionaire tax breaks and Trump’s pet projects. To compound the suffering, Trump has refused to use all the money available to fund SNAP this month, stretching programs like Meals on Wheels even thinner as they try to help hungry community members. It’s simply immoral.”

About Meals on Wheels West: Meals on Wheels West (MOWW) is a Meals on Wheels organization serving Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu with community-based services enriching the lives of the homebound, disabled, and elderly since 1974. Meals on Wheels West specializes in providing nutritious meals, friendly calls and visits, and referrals to other services. The organization is one of nearly thousands nationwide within the Meals on Wheels Association of America supporting homebound communities with such efforts.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

Dear neighbor,

On November 1, the Trump Administration is planning to stop SNAP benefits.

SNAP provides food assistance to low-income kids, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. 42 MILLION Americans rely on SNAP to get nutritious food, including about 1 in 4 children in America. 

This is a choice – Republicans can fully fund SNAP in November through legally available funds, but they are choosing to instead weaponize hunger during a Republican government shutdown. As a reminder, Republicans control the White House, Senate, and House. They already cut SNAP by $182 billion in their Big Ugly Bill. Now, they’re withholding food assistance as Americans continue to see their grocery costs get higher and higher.

While my Democratic colleagues and I were in Washington this week, House Republicans were still on vacation. Democrats are showing up for the American people. I support efforts to protect SNAP benefits and urge the Trump Administration to fund SNAP in November. Republicans need to come back from their vacations, and we need to put an end to this harmful Republican shutdown.

SHUTDOWN ASSISTANCE: LA County is supporting residents during the ongoing government shutdown. LA County Parks offer free meals at park sites across the county. Visit here for more info and locations. For those worried the shutdown may impact their housing, you can call 2-1-1 or visit here for access to tenant protection and foreclosure prevention services. 

CONVERSATIONS WITH VETERANS: Join me for a virtual community forum between local veterans and the friends and neighbors for whom they served. Register here to join us on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 3-4:30 PM ET via Zoom webinar.

SPRING INTERNSHIPS: Applications for my LA and DC offices’ spring 2026 internships have been extended until November 7. To apply, visit this page.

Despite the Republican shutdown, my offices are still working for you. Responses from federal agencies may take longer than usual, but my team is still taking casework requests on our webpage here or you can call my LA office at (323) 651-1040.

I look forward to updating you again soon.

Warmly,

Ted 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement regarding President Trump’s recent social media post suggesting he would not comply with the orders of two U.S. District Courts to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November. “President Trump’s recent social media post regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding defies court orders and hurts Americans who rely on this lifeline to put food on the table. It’s wrong and unacceptable,”said Congressman Costa. “With nearly thirty percent of households in California’s 21st Congressional District relying on SNAP, including veterans, seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities, it is an urgent matter that these funds are provided for those in need. The Trump Administration must legally comply with recent court orders to fund SNAP in November. As a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am doing everything possible to ensure that the court order is enforced and in compliance with the judge’s decision. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to negotiate on a bipartisan agreement to reopen government.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

SEATTLE, W.A. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), a co-founder of the Monopoly Busters Caucus, and Maggie Goodlander (CT-02), a member of the Caucus, along with 15 of their colleagues are calling on U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to revise the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to strike provisions that hinder Congressional oversight on monopolistic activity by Big Tech corporations. 

“Today, just a handful of companies—Amazon, Google, Apple, and Meta—control much of the internet infrastructure. They have achieved monopoly power by crushing and acquiring rivals, creating network effects, and leveraging vast amounts of user data to cement their dominant positions,” wrote the Members. “Their power allows them to gatekeep access to markets and information, harming workers, independent businesses, entrepreneurs, ordinary investors, consumers, journalists, and entire communities.”

During the negotiation of USMCA, Big Tech companies were able to include “digital trade” provisions as a means to avoid federal or Congressional oversight of their anti-competitive activities. USMCA included a requirement that its agreement must be reviewed every six years. In the 2026 review, the Members are specifically calling on three provisions to be revamped or eliminated:

• Anti-Monopoly: Congress has proposed laws that impose structural and behavioral safeguards on Big Tech platforms. The USMCA prohibits government action that treats foreign digital products differently from domestic digital products. This provision is worded so broadly that it effectively prohibits the types of laws that Congress has proposed because those laws necessarily affect dominant firms concentrated in certain countries. 
• Right-to-Repair and Artificial Intelligence: Congress and multiple states have proposed laws that give consumers, farmers, and small business owners the right to repair their own devices and equipment. They have also proposed laws that enable the auditing of artificial intelligence systems for accuracy, bias, and fairness. The USMCA prohibits access to source code and algorithms that are necessary to conduct these repairs and audits. 
• Data Privacy: Congress, agencies, and multiple states have proposed many policies that protect Americans’ privacy. The USMCA undercuts these policies by banning governments from limiting data movement between countries or regulating where data may be stored. 

This letter is also signed by Becca Balint (VT-AL), Greg Casar (TX-35), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer Lee (PA-12), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Marc Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Paul Tonko (NY-20). 

This letter is endorsed by the American Economic Liberties Project, Public Citizen, and Tech Oversight Project. 

The full text of the letter can be read HERE. 

Issues: Jobs, Labor, & the Economy, Science, Technology, & Antitrust

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference where he outlined the failure of the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans to take any decisive actions to lower costs for hardworking American taxpayers, while Democrats continue to stand up on behalf of the American people.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Here in America, the cost of living is way too high. Donald Trump and Republicans promised that they were going to lower costs on day one. But costs aren’t going down. Costs are going up. The Trump tariffs are making life more expensive for everyday Americans by thousands of dollars per year. Inflation, on the way up. Grocery costs, way up. Housing costs, way up. Childcare costs, way up. Electricity prices, through the roof. And the American people know it. And Donald Trump and Republicans have failed to make their life more affordable. And now, in the midst of this 35-day Trump-Republican shutdown, Republicans refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, which is going to result in tens of millions of Americans experiencing dramatically increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles. In some cases, everyday Americans, working-class Americans and middle-class Americans are going to see their health insurance premiums increase by $1000 or $2000 per year because of the Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

Donald Trump and Republicans in the House and the Senate have failed the American people and the American people know it. Democrats will continue to fight to lower the high cost of living, fix our broken healthcare system and to clean up corruption in the Congress, in the courts and certainly as it relates to Donald Trump and his administration, the most corrupt administration in American history. We want to reopen the government. We want to find a bipartisan path forward toward enacting a spending agreement that actually makes life better for the American people, that lowers costs for the American people, as opposed to the Trump economy, where things are getting more expensive by the day. And, of course, we have to decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis that is crushing the American people all across the land.

Full press availability can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — As the Democrat Shutdown ends its fifth week, frustration is growing across the country — not just from travelers and federal workers, but from the very unions Democrats claim to represent.

More than a month ago, House Republicans passed a clean, responsible continuing resolution to keep the government open and protect paychecks for federal workers. But Democrats continue to keep it closed — inflicting pain on the working families they say they stand for.

Now, even longtime Democratic allies are speaking out to urge Democrats to pass the clean CR and end the Democrat Shutdown.

UNION LEADERS SOUND THE ALARM

Union leaders across the country are speaking out — calling on Democrats to end the shutdown and put workers first.

Everett Kelley, AFGE National President: “I represent over 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers who serve with pride and professionalism… It’s long past time for our leaders to put aside partisan politics and embrace responsible government… Reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues.” 

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien: “Congress is playing the same blame and delay game that corporations play with American workers seeking a first contract. A shutdown will hurt working people.  Period.  American workers are not bargaining chips. Senators should stop screwing around and pass the House-passed clean, short term funding bill.”

NATCA President Nick Daniels: “Congress must pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) to immediately end the government shutdown, ensure that all individuals who have not been paid during this prolonged closure receive their compensation, and then engage in bipartisan negotiations on other pressing issues facing our nation.”

In addition, Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA), NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), and Allied Pilots Association (APA)  have issued statements calling on Congress to pass the clean CR and reopen the government.

Together, these unions represent millions of workers demanding immediate action to restore paychecks and end the shutdown.

AMID MOUNTING AIRPORT DISRUPTIONS AND THE UPCOMING THANKSGIVING TRAVEL RUSH, MAJOR AIRLINES URGE DEMOCRATS TO END THE SHUTDOWN

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby: “It’s putting stress on people. It’s not fair to those people. It’s also putting stress on the economy.”

American Airlines: “The quickest way to end this shutdown and get these workers paid is by passing a clean continuing resolution (CR). A prolonged shutdown will lead to more delays and cancellations — and the American people, especially during the busy holiday season, deserve better.”

Delta Airlines: “Delta Air Lines implores Congress to immediately pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government so that our air traffic controllers, TSA and CBP officers charged with the safety and efficiency of our national airspace can collect the paychecks they deserve.”

Southwest Airlines: “The public expects and deserves to travel in a system in which air traffic controllers and federal safety and security employees are paid in a timely fashion. We ask Congress to adopt a clean continuing resolution.”

DEMOCRATS KNOW IT’S WRONG — AND THE CRACKS ARE SHOWING

And now, cracks are appearing inside the Democratic Party itself — with even their own members publicly rejecting the shutdown strategy.

Sen. John Fetterman (D–PA): “And, again, I feel like the Democrats really need to own the shutdown. I mean, we’re shutting it down… I voted for all their C.R.s, our C.R.s, every single time. And I refuse to put 42 million Americans in the kinds of food insecurity. Now, this is all solved by just reopen our government and the people are now paid. Now, if we are – we are the party that are fighting for working people.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D–NJ): “I think what’s a very fair deal is open the government and let’s just vote on extending these premiums for a year or more. I don’t understand what’s so hard about that.”

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME): “This government shutdown is the result of hardball politics driven by the demands far-left groups are making for Democratic Party leaders to put on a show of their opposition to President Trump. The shutdown is hurting Americans and our economy, and the irony is it has only handed more power to the president.”

Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama: “I’m going to break from the party line here on this. I’m a Democrat. I’m with John Fetterman and Angus King… The most basic function of Congress is to fund the government, turn the lights on, keep the government working so that the 3 million people who are public servants are able to do what they do to serve all the rest of us… I believe that Congress should vote to re-open the government.”

THE FACTS ARE SIMPLE

• The House did its job on September 19, passing the clean funding bill to keep the government open.
• Republicans in the Senate stand ready to do the same. It takes 60 votes — meaning Democrats must join.
• Democrats have voted 15 times to keep the government closed.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and other federal workers are going without pay — and the economic damage is spreading nationwide.

THE BOTTOM LINE

While Republicans are working to end the shutdown and protect American families, Democrats have admitted their true motive: to use the pain of working people as “leverage” for political gain.

“Every day gets better for us.”

Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

“Of course, there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”

House Democrat Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.)

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